Sustainability at UCD
University College Dublin (UCD), as Ireland’s largest and most globally engaged university, plays a pivotal role in Ireland’s national response to the challenges of sustainability and is seen as a leader in both the European and global higher education contexts. UCD is ranked in the top 50 in the world in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability, and is number 1 in Ireland and 24th in Europe. The QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2024 Report compares 1,397 of the world’s universities against a range of metrics, to see which institutions are doing the most to tackle the world’s greatest environmental, social and governance (ESG) challenges.
Study In UCD Undergraduate Programmes
BSc Sustainability - This Sustainability course reflects the integrated interdisciplinary approach required in sustainability research, policy and practice. First Year is structured so that students are able to progress into one of the following degree subjects in Second Year:
- Sustainability with Environmental Sciences
- Sustainability with Social Sciences, Policy & Law
- Sustainability with Business & Economics
Study In UCD Graduate Taught Programmes:
MSc Design Thinking for Sustainability
MSc Digital Technology for Sustainable Agriculture
MSc Environmental Sustainability
MSc Environmental Technology
MSc Global Change: Ecosystem Science & Policy
MSc Risk, Resilience & Sustainability
MSc Architecture, Urbanism & Climate Action
MSc Sustainable Development
Sustainability at UCD Global
UCD Global has led several initiatives to reduce carbon emissions among university staff, and to support students in becoming more sustainable.
These initiatives include:
- An Ethical Consumption and Sustainability Committee to drive sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives within UCD Global.
- A greater focus on digital brochures and material and a reduction in printed materials.
- Staff Travel project to reduce carbon emissions linked to necessary travel.
Sustainability Initiatives at UCD
You can find out more about further initiatives taking place across the university by clicking on the links below:
- Volunteering opportunities and Global Citizenship at UCDVO
- UCD Green Campus is organised by UCD Estates and works towards attaining a sustainable, healthy and living campus. There are many different initiatives they promote and support, including Green Week, Waste Reduction Initiatives, Biodiversity and Volunteering Opportunities.
- Student-led initiatives such as Eco-UCD, UCD Fair Fashion and UCD Horticulture Society.
UCD is committed to constantly improving sustainability on campus and throughout the university in general. UCD is also committed to working to further the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) throughout its teaching and operations. In the 2021 Times Higher Education world rankings of how universities worked to achieve the SDGs, UCD was ranked number 22 in the world!
UCD Global is proud to actively work on sustainability initiatives and support international students in having a more eco-friendly student experience in a number of ways.
Watch the video to hear the UCD Global Ethical Consumption and Sustainability Committe's contribution to the Climate Action Network for International Educators (CANIE) European Summit.
My name is Ana. I’m from the United States, and I’m studying the BSc Sustainability programme. I chose to study this course at UCD because the programme sounded really exciting, and the campus is a great place to live!
Ana Neary, North America, BSc Sustainability
Download your Green Guide
Have a more sustainable student experience with our Green Guide